internships

Marco Antonio Alcantar Alvarez, a rising sophomore at California State University majoring in graphic design, was one of 14 students selected for an internship over the summer with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) High School Equivalency Program (HEP)/College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP). Established in 2023 with eight interns, this year’s intern cohort has nearly doubled in size.

Ally Huang, a senior at Pomona College in California, just completed an internship through the Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). As a public policy analysis major focusing on economics, she found that the experience enabled her to connect her educational background with a familiar cause: food security. During her internship with USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Albany, California, Huang focused on the policy aspects of recent state legislation regarding composting and food packaging. “I connected with the overall end goal to reduce waste,” she said. “I have always been really interested in sustainability and am mindful of it in daily life.”

When Kiera Sherrod was young, her grandfather often came to her house in Albany, Georgia to plant crops in her parents’ backyard for her family to maintain and harvest. This ritual also sparked the beginning of his granddaughter’s interest in agriculture.

Nichole Espineli is studying for her master’s degree at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Her determination, borne from her personal experience with food insecurity, led her to a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL) internship this past summer with the USDA Agricultural Research Service.

Vanessa Valencia is a recent graduate from Oregon State University who majored in marketing. She is one of 14 students accepted into the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) High School Equivalency Program (HEP)/College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) internship program.

Yasmin Miranda-Mandujano is one of 14 students chosen for an internship with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) High School Equivalency Program/College Assistance Migrant Program (HEP/CAMP). Yasmin is a sophomore at Madera Community College in California, majoring in business administration.

Dominique Smith recently graduated from Tennessee State University with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural sciences with a concentration in agribusiness. She recently accepted a permanent position with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and credits her experience in the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program in helping her secure the position.

On July 25, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) celebrates National Intern Day, a day to thank and honor all our hardworking interns. Interns play a vital role in the workforce and bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and enthusiasm to the dozens of USDA agencies and offices that they support.

Growing up in Albany, Georgia, Bryan Hallman was surrounded by agriculture but had little exposure to the industry at school. He realized he was interested in pursuing a career in agriculture during his senior year of high school when a teacher told him about the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) 1890 National Scholars Program.

Four years ago, Jordan McMahon wasn’t sure if he would go to college. Today, he is a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 1890 National Scholar and published researcher. He recently graduated from Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio and will be pursuing a master’s degree, eventual Ph.D., and a career in agriculture.